43 taken ill after consuming water with pesticide content

At least 43 persons of Talapada village of Thakurmunda block in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha were taken ill after consuming water with pesticide content from an overhead tank on Monday.

According to reports, supply of drinking water from the tank, recently constructed by the department of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS), had begun three days ago.

The people of Gopal Sahi, Tala Sahi and Bhalia Sahi villages consumed the water after it was supplied from the tank on Monday morning. An hou laterr, some people of these villages complained of burning sensation in their faces followed by repeated vomiting.

The ailing villagers, numbering 43, were rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Following information, water supply from the tank was immediately stopped.

During investigation, the RWSS staff found a bottle of cylothin pesticide inside the tank.

Tension ran high in the area following the incident. The local police is investigating into the incident.